Just bought a police trade in 6906 for a decent price and it has what was referred to as inventory numbers from the department where it was issued. The numbers are on the right side on the barrel, slide, and frame. Just curious how common this is and if it is desirable or less desirable to have said markings in terms of affecting value up or down?
6906 PD trade in question
- Thread starter Benello
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nice 6906, any idea, where i can get those houge grips without the finger grooves? thanks...dan
lhump1961
US Veteran
I have a couple of trade ins marked that way. Here is a 3913 I bought that is in excellent condition. It originally had the ambi decocker but I installed a single sided version...still have the original. I find the police trade ins to be good value due to the fact that many of them weren't carried much for whatever reason and certainly shot very little. As for price there are some who don't want the LE markings and that's fine but I don't mind it in a shooter or carry gun at all. Collectors will avoid them most of the time as they want totally original hence the lower price. Same gun.
Having said that I don't like commemorative guns at all for the most part...haven't found one I like yet. Commemorative guns usually sell for less as well.
Don't worry about the LE markings. The gun doesn't care and neither do I. It does give it a bit of personality and history though.
Having said that I don't like commemorative guns at all for the most part...haven't found one I like yet. Commemorative guns usually sell for less as well.
Don't worry about the LE markings. The gun doesn't care and neither do I. It does give it a bit of personality and history though.
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Used 6906s aren't exactly the most sought after collectors' pieces, anyway. They're reliable, inexpensive, and function for the plan you had in mind when you bought it.
I have a couple of surplus Italian Carabinieri pistols and I even leave the name of the officer on them. It's usually written on tape or those Dymo-type things you punch letters and numbers into and a tape comes out after.
I have a couple of surplus Italian Carabinieri pistols and I even leave the name of the officer on them. It's usually written on tape or those Dymo-type things you punch letters and numbers into and a tape comes out after.
Hey thanks for the info and pics. Yeah I see where a collector would want a non marked one though I thought it was kinda cool at the same time as it's proof that it was a police dept issue gun. I consider myself in between a collector and a shooter. I just wanted a good condition one for now that I can shoot and still look at and appreciate the beauty of it. I saw a pristine unfired example (even had the stainless trigger) go for about $700, which is more than I wanna spend and then I wouldn't want to ever get a mark on it. Having some wear and marks on it without being ridiculously worn or beat up, this way I can enjoy it more. I am just surprised I didn't see those type of inventory marks prior as I've seen a decent amount of 3rd gen Smiths. I guess they are not that rare though after all.
At least on the CHP 4006TSW I pictured, the number is the guns serial number. I believe they were all marked to keep them together during manufacturing and to ensure the best fit. They definitely help to establish the guns law enforcement history - without them you'd probably have to have it lettered by S&W historian Roy Jinks. But the letter would tell you exactly what law enforcement branch it was sent to, and when.
I'd rate the value based primarily on the gun's condition. The markings shouldnt detract from that but would be a plus for those interested in Law Enforcement weapons.
We would love to see a pic if possible!
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If so it's just by coincidence.
They were control/inventory numbers that the CHP assigned to them sequentially.
The control# on my CHP 4013TSW pre-rail is nowhere near the pistol's S&W SN#.
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nocents
Member
I don't recall ever seeing Hogue rubber grips for a 6906 sans finger grooves.....the pic above your OP is not a 6906
Elliojw
Member
I've seen this trio of matching numbers on the CHP4006s, 6906s, and a 3913 and my understanding is that it is the standard California DOJ for armorers part control. Think of having to batch clean a pile of 25 handguns and then reassemble them.
I also am more found of police marked SWs since they can be easily tied with a certain city or area at a given time. Plus just think of some of the stories they could tell.
I also am more found of police marked SWs since they can be easily tied with a certain city or area at a given time. Plus just think of some of the stories they could tell.
N4KVE
Member
The company I work for buys LE guns from police departments that have upgraded to something else. As part of the deal, if the slide has PD markings, most say the department banner on the slide must be removed. Obviously the slide would look terrible with the markings ground off, so we have to refinish the slide. But then the slide looks new, so nobody cares. GARY
If so it's just by coincidence.
They were control/inventory numbers that the CHP assigned to them sequentially.
The control# on my CHP 4013TSW pre-rail is nowhere near the pistol's S&W SN#.
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Interesting! Maybe it's just the CHP 4006's then. Ever one I saw for sale online has that right side# matching the serial number on the left side. It took a while but I clicked on every one to study before picking one to spend some of my stimulus money on. Hopefully it will be out of the state's quarantine soon.
Thanks for posting the CHP 4013. That's a winner.
